Troy Scott Smith, head gardener of Sissinghurst Castle, one of the world’s most famous gardens is speaking at the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO) from 2–3:30 p.m. Sunday, September 21 at Rosevelt High School Auditorium in North Portland, 6941 N. Central St.

Smith worked at Sissinghurst Castle Garden as a senior gardener for five years in the early 1990s and returned in May 2013 as head gardener, according to the HPSO. Since then, he has been on a mission to revitalize the garden, bringing about a garden more authentic to the vision of Vita Sackville-West, the poet and writer who began transforming Sissinghurst Castle in the 1930s with her diplomat and author husband, Harold Nicolson.

The famous White Garden has luminous all-white blooms and sultry evening scents and the Orchard has fruit trees rising from naturalistic plantings of spring bulbs and wildflowers. Each area of the garden reflects Vita’s romantic vision.

Admission is $25 for HPSO members, $35 for non-members. Members may purchase one additional ticket at member pricing for a guest.

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